An analysis of the historical evolution of British drug policy first traces its development from the 1920s through the 1970s. This period of drug regulation can best be described as responding to international expectations regarding the control of specified drugs, especially as defined by the United States. The second historical period of drug policy development addresses the years 1990-2002. This period saw an effort by the British Government to develop and implement an overarching strategic response to substance misuse that went beyond legislation alone to include law enforcement, education, prevention, and treatment. The strategy for England and Wales focuses on community-based crime prevention and multiagency partnerships structured as Drug Action teams. Responses have been further developed through the launching of the Criminal Justice Intervention Program (CJIP) and the Drug Intervention Program (DIP). These programs are designed to provide a uniform track for managing drug users in the criminal justice system, from arrest, to supervision, to release, and aftercare. Such a comprehensive strategy of response to drug-using individuals, particularly those who contact the criminal justice system, indicates that drug use in the United Kingdom is viewed both as a significant problem and as sufficiently prevalent as to be a "normalized" behavior in British society. 5 notes and 98 references